another mailing question

Someone recently told me that if you're mailing an envelope with a metal clasp, it is considered a 'large envelope' (according to the new rate scheme), even if is 'letter' size. In other words, USPS will charge you the more expensive rate. Anyone have this happen to them?

I decided to test this out, so I mailed myself a clasp-closed small envelope. It got to me fine with the 'letter rate' postage on it -- no nonmachinable surcharge, no postage due. Since clasps are supposed to make an envelope considered nonmachinable (and therefore subject to the surcharge), I guess this is another case of mail rules being unequally applied.

I tried to research this and came up with nothing. Though i swear i'd seen it somewhere before. I mail A LOT with clasp envelopes... but a lot of times they are unmachineable anyway because of their thickness so i pay extra without the concern of the clasp.

Jerianne said:

I decided to test this out, so I mailed myself a clasp-closed small envelope. It got to me fine with the 'letter rate' postage on it -- no nonmachinable surcharge, no postage due. Since clasps are supposed to make an envelope considered nonmachinable (and therefore subject to the surcharge), I guess this is another case of mail rules being unequally applied.

If that happens I think the issue is it's being considered "non-machinable" (and that will sometimes depend on the clerk's judgment). Basically, these days anything they think can't be automatically processed through their machinery gets an extra surcharge -- for the human handling, I guess.

Whenever I bring something up to the counter with a metal clasp, the clerks always charge me the "large envelope" rate. Being the tightwad that I am, I pull off the metal clasps from all envelopes before I mail them. Envelopes without metal clasps seem harder to find around here.

Whenever I bring something up to the counter with a metal clasp, the clerks always charge me the "large envelope" rate. Being the tightwad that I am, I pull off the metal clasps from all envelopes before I mail them. Envelopes without metal clasps seem harder to find around here.

Yeah, I find that the clasp doesn't do a whole lot of good to begin with and I always tape it shut anyways so if this is true I think this is a good strategy. These rules wouldn't be so maddening if they were applied consistently and not at the whims of the postal worker.